Question

Discussion in 'Buddhism' started by Running Horse, Jan 10, 2019.

  1. Running Horse

    Running Horse A Buddha in hiding from himself

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    What is the sound of one hand clapping?
     
  2. theamos

    theamos Members

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    Wave
     
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  3. snowtiggernd

    snowtiggernd Member

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    Silence
     
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  4. Tyrsonswood

    Tyrsonswood Senior Moment Lifetime Supporter

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  5. Chodpa

    Chodpa Senior Member

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    half a clap
     
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  6. Irminsul

    Irminsul Valkyrie

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  7. tumbling.dice

    tumbling.dice Visitor

  8. storch

    storch banned

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    There is no such thing as one hand clapping. If two hands clap against each other, which one is the clapper? And how did you determine that?
     
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  9. Okiefreak

    Okiefreak Senior Member

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    If ya gotta ask, ya'll never know. Taking koans literally is a sure route to insanity. Meditate on it, take two asprin, and call us in the morning.
     
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  10. Irminsul

    Irminsul Valkyrie

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    The very first time I saw thay Simpsons episode, I of course tried it. And I can make a noise from it. - shrug-
     
  11. storch

    storch banned

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    No one has taken it literally. All that's happened here is that rather than offer your own answer, you've decided to be critical of someone who did offer an answer. But since it seems to have gone over your head, I'll refine my answer for you. If a hand is clapping, that means that there is another hand involved. Where, in the koan, were you told that the other hand is not present? You were fooled by your own assumption, and you made a simple thing complicated, which no amount of aspirin will help.

    And if you ever really familiarize yourself with koans, you will know that some are absolutely to be taken literally. Whoever told you otherwise is wrong. And if you would like, I could give you a few examples.
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2019
  12. Asmodean

    Asmodean Slo motion rider

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    Is that a given? What if a hand is clapping against some kind of object. I'm now imagining a hand out of the car window clapping against the door due to gravitational pressure :-D
     
  13. storch

    storch banned

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    The question is not whether or not it is a given. The question is whether or not it was ever taken away. And the answer to that question is no.

    And a hand against a car door makes a bonk sound, not a clap. Besides, cars didn't exist when that koan was made, so your answer can't be right. :smile:
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2019
  14. Asmodean

    Asmodean Slo motion rider

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    What if the wrist is broken?
     
  15. storch

    storch banned

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    Doesn't matter. It'll still make a bonk sound on the car door . . . or maybe a cracking sound coming from the wrist, but not a clapping sound. :tonguewink:

    On a related matter, if a hand bonks against a car door, and no one is there to hear it, will it make a sound? Will it hurt?
     
  16. Asmodean

    Asmodean Slo motion rider

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    Hm i doubt it. But ok, it doesn't have to be a car door. Just a hand on an arm with broken wrist clapping merrily in the wind :-D
     
  17. Total Darkness

    Total Darkness 100% Cocoa

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  18. storch

    storch banned

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    . . .
     
  19. storch

    storch banned

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    I stand corrected. Actually I sit corrected . . . because I won't stand for it.
     
  20. storch

    storch banned

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    That happened to me once. That master learned the hard way that I hate when that happens.
     
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